December

All In For Citrus Podcast, November 2025

Daniel CooperAll In For Citrus Podcast

The November All In For Citrus podcast takes a trip around the globe. Faculty from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) join the show to describe citrus production in regions outside of the United States. Michael Rogers, director of the UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, gives an update on citrus in the Caribbean and …

December

Sneak Peek: December 2025 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperHLB Management, Sneak Peek

As the end of the year approaches, now is a good time to look back at what has been learned about huanglongbing (HLB) disease over the last 20 years. In the Citrus Industry section of the December issue of Specialty Crop Grower, Michael Rogers, Citrus Research and Education Center director, provides a comprehensive review of the progress made in fighting …

CRDF

CRDF Considers Research Management Committee Recommendations

Daniel CooperCRDF, Research

The Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) convened its November board of directors meeting to take up recommendations from its Research Management Committee. According to Rick Dantzler, CRDF chief operating officer, one of those recommendations was funding a proposal from Swadesh Santra, who is a professor of chemistry with the University of Central Florida. “This funding would allow Dr. Santra …

soil moisture

Adequate Soil Moisture Is Key to Avoiding Fruit Drop

Daniel CooperFruit Drop, Irrigation, Weather

A lack of adequate soil moisture could make an already challenging situation for Florida citrus growers worse. It is imperative that producers keep applying irrigation amid any prolonged dry period, says Chris Oswalt, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) citrus agent. Oswalt noted that many citrus-producing regions in Florida have had little, if any, rain in …

Georgia growers

Georgia Growers Tour Brazil’s Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperBrazil, Georgia

A recent tour of Brazilian citrus provided Georgia growers with valuable information on how to capitalize on production amid huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Lindy Savelle, executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association and owner of JoNina Farm, was one of seven producers who attended the week-long tour this fall. One of the main observations was Brazil’s strong production despite the prevalence …

ReMedium TI®

ReMedium TI®: Maximum Return on Investment

Daniel CooperHLB Management, OTC Expert

Sponsored Content Question: Are third-party research trials showing good improvement in HLB symptoms with the use of ReMedium TI®? Answer: There have been a number of research trials performed by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) over the past couple of years. ReMedium TI® results have been …

Eagle Lake

Eagle Lake Field Day Highlights Conventional Breeding Potential

Daniel CooperBreeding, Events, HLB Management

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Citrus Research and Education Center (CREC) citrus breeding team hosted a field day on Nov. 19 at the UF/IFAS Eagle Lake Block. The Eagle Lake Block is a 30-acre property that was gifted to CREC as part of the Jim Hughes estate. The grove tour featured several selections being …

legislative session

Supporting Citrus in the 2026 Legislative Session

Daniel CooperAwards

Editor’s note: This is the third installment of four articles honoring the 2025 Citrus Achievement Award Winner Ben Albritton. Senate President Ben Albritton is preparing for the 2026 legislative session with committee meetings in full swing. The session is slated to start on Jan. 13 and run 60 calendar days. During the past session, Albritton successfully led the effort to …

gene editing

Improved Citrus Gene Editing

Daniel CooperBreeding, HLB Management, Research

A University of Connecticut researcher recently made advancements in citrus gene editing techniques to reduce the drawbacks of traditional methods. The researcher is Yi Li, professor of horticultural plant breeding biotechnology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources. BACKGROUND Scientists employ genome-editing technologies to precisely modify a plant’s own genes, either by inactivating or activating specific target genes …

NVDMC

CITRUS NURSERY SOURCE: NVDMC’s Research Initiatives for 2025–26

Daniel CooperCitrus Nursery Source, Research

By Peter Chaires Last month’s Citrus Nursery Source article promised additional details on New Varieties Development & Management Corp.’s (NVDMC) 2025–26 sponsored projects. While there is only space for general summaries, it is important to highlight the areas of focus for each research team, and the emphasis on short-term benefits while continuing to build a foundation for the future. NVDMC …

Golden Ridge Groves

Golden Ridge Groves to Open CUPS U-Pick and Farm Market

Daniel CooperCUPS

Golden Ridge Groves will open Nov. 20 in Alturas, Florida. The new business includes u-pick in a citrus under protective screen (CUPS) structure and a farm market. The operation will be open for the season Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Husband and wife owners Shane and Katie Bevilacqua answered questions about the new business. Q: When will …

ReMedium TI®

ReMedium TI® Approved for Fourth Year in Florida

Daniel CooperHLB Management

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently approved TJ BioTech’s request for a Section 24(c) registration related to a fourth year of use of the oxytetracycline (OTC) product ReMedium TI®. The product is a systemic injectable antimicrobial for the control or suppression of huanglongbing (HLB) disease in citrus. The Section 24(c) registration is a special local need registration. …

ReMedium TI®

Fruit Quality Improvement Takes Time

Tacy CalliesHLB Management, OTC Expert

Sponsored Content Question: Previous questions have been asked about increases in yield and quality of the citrus crop as groves begin to recover from HLB. Why does it take additional time to get quality to improve? Answer: The ability of any crop to produce both high yield and high quality is an agronomic function of a plant’s ability to intake …

fruit drop

Dual-Action Approach to Mitigate Preharvest Fruit Drop

Daniel CooperFruit Drop, HLB Management, Tip of the Week

By Taylor Livingston and Tripti Vashisth Preharvest fruit drop is a major concern for Florida citrus growers, especially in groves affected by huanglongbing (HLB). Environmental stressors such as drought, flooding and cold snaps further accelerate fruit drop and tree decline. Recent field trials in Central Florida evaluated the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs) — specifically gibberellic acid (GA3) and …

CRISPR

Taking a Closer Look at CRISPR in Citrus Breeding

Daniel CooperBreeding, Research

By Manjul Dutt Editor’s Note: This is the second article in a series outlining how genetic technology can be using in citrus breeding. Traditional methods for improving citrus, such as crossbreeding different varieties, can be time-consuming due to the creation of a random mix of genes from both parents through a process called genetic introgression. In the article last month, …

Fundecitrus

Fundecitrus Honors California Researcher

Daniel CooperAwards

Brazilian citrus research organization Fundecitrus (Fund for Protection of Citriculture) recently honored University of California Davis (UC Davis) Distinguished Professor Walter Leal for his outstanding contribution to citriculture. Fundecitrus emphasized the importance of Leal’s work on the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) and citrus fruit borer. Brazilian native Leal is a member of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology faculty …

agriculture

Albritton Fighting For Citrus in the Florida Legislature

Daniel CooperAwards, Legislative

Editor’s note: This is the second installment of four articles honoring Ben Albritton, the 2025 Citrus Achievement Award winner. The 2025–26 citrus season has arrived, and growers are cautiously optimistic that trees might be turning in a more productive direction — if the weather cooperates. Many growers are taking advantage of Citrus Research and Field Trial (CRAFT) Foundation programs that …

November

Sneak Peek: November 2025 Citrus Industry

Daniel CooperSneak Peek

Coming soon in the November issue of Specialty Crop Grower magazine are several articles geared to citrus growers. The Citrus Industry section of the magazine addresses a range of topics, including irrigation and nutrient management, CRISPR breeding efforts, momentum and research projects for the Florida 2025–26 citrus season and more. One of the best ways to keep HLB-infected trees productive …

Florida citrus

Florida Citrus Budget Adopted; Issues Updated

Daniel CooperFlorida Department of Citrus

The Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) on Oct. 22 adopted a revised $23.4 million 2025–26 budget for the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). The FDOC budget is funded in part by a tax on each box of fruit growers produce. That tax will remain unchanged from last year, as follows: The FCC also received updates on several issues affecting the Florida …

momentum

Keeping the Momentum Going

Daniel CooperFlorida Citrus Commission, Florida Department of Citrus

Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) Chairman Steve Johnson recently cited ways the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) has been helping keep momentum going for Florida citrus. During the Sept. 23–26 International Citrus and Beverage Conference, Marisa Zansler (FDOC director of economic and market research) gave a citrus outlook and marketing update to key stakeholders in the beverage market. The overarching message …